Sustaining and Defending the LDS Temple

Temple Prep Live Google Hangout Fireside Series

I’m sure many of you are aware of the new Google+ Hangout feature, but let me explain briefly. Essentially it is a group video chat, where you can see video and hear audio from all the other participants in the chat. Google also provides a “On Air” feature which will broadcast the Hangout video and audio live on Google+, YouTube, and anywhere the video is embedded into a website. This provides the opportunity for live events to be broadcasted around the world quite easily, and for many people to participate in them, both by contributing directly with their webcam, or by just viewing the live broadcast, or viewing the recording later.

Some enterprising members, such as Sheila DuBois, have begun using Google Hangouts to broadcast live “firesides” on Sundays. I think this is an innovative use of the technology to help build up the kingdom, and allows members of the Church to connect in ways previously not possible.

This got me thinking. What if we had a Google Hangout to discuss the temple? This might be a good way to bring together some people who have interest in the temple, and discuss it in ways that will develop faith and strengthen testimony, and help us all learn more about it. I perceive we do not have nearly enough conversations about the temple in the Church. It is the focus and goal of nearly everything we do, and provides the most exalted blessings available to us, yet many of us do not know much about it. Of course, we cannot talk about certain sacred things with regard to the temple, most particularly the details of the ceremonies and ordinances, but in the words of President Packer, “there is much we can discuss… and we will” (Boyd K. Packer, The Holy Temple, 27-39.).

Because the temple is such a multifaceted subject, and because it can be a delicate topic to approach, I think it might be best to take as our guide the temple preparation manual published by the Church and which is freely available from LDS.org, entitled “Endowed from On High: Temple Preparation Seminar Teacher’s Manual,” and its accompanying student booklet, “Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple,” which is condensed from President Boyd K. Packer’s larger book length treatment in The Holy Temple. I think these manuals provide ample opportunity for discussion and addressing scholarship and topics surrounding the temple from many different angles, as I have witnessed having taught the class before. I can’t guarantee that we’ll delve into many of the apologetic evidences for the temple, but it should be a good discussion nonetheless. If you have another suggestion for a guiding text that might be better suited, please let me know.

I’m thinking we could take as the topic one lesson per week (or see how it goes), perhaps joining together each Sunday night for an hour or hour and a half, maybe beginning at 7:30pm, starting in a couple weeks on Sunday, August 5th. The broadcast would be available here at TempleStudy.com, on my Google+ feed, my YouTube channel, and wherever else the video might be embedded on websites (contact me if you’d like the embed code).

I have not made a final decision whether to do this. I’m interested to know your thoughts, and gauge interest, and how many people would like to participate in such an event, whether it be by contributing directly via webcam, or listening in and watching the live broadcast or the recording later. I think it might be very beneficial to all involved. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below here on TempleStudy.com (or via private contact). Know that if you want to be a contributor, there is a limit of 10 people at once that may be panelists in the hangout (and you must be a Google Plus member with webcam), so if there is a lot of interest, I may have to be selective. I may also invite certain people who I know and trust. An unlimited number of people may watch the hangout live or the recorded broadcast later, and you do not need to be a Google Plus member. More details to come later.

8 Comments

That is an excellent idea. I’ll be planning on joing via “listen only” mode. I do hope there will be a “dump” button of sorts to stop inappropriate conversations /details…Hopefully it is not needed but you never know.

As always, thank you for your efforts with this site as it is simply tremendous.

I didn’t think those books really said much at all. They certainly didn’t prep anyone I know. But maybe the discussion will be where that stuff gets said. I love the use of new technology to help people with ancient things like religion!

[…] that the Church has published is probably not a good choice to serve as a springboard for our Google Hangout temple discussions, for a number of reasons. One of those reasons is that we do not want to appear to be supplanting […]

[…] with Andrew C. Skinner’s book Temple Worship: 20 Truths That Will Bless Your Life for our live Google Hangout this coming Sunday evening, August 5th at 7:30pm. I think this is a great book, and I hope it […]

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This blog is dedicated to the exemplary LDS (Mormon) scholar Dr. Hugh Nibley, whose landmark temple studies have strengthened the faith of many. Read more on About page. Email me. Click on the widget in the lower-right corner of the window to chat with me.